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Call to Study U.S. Stance on Mideast Draws Anger
New York Times ^ | Thursday, October 18, 2001 | DAVID FIRESTONE

Posted on 10/17/2001 8:50:24 PM PDT by JohnHuang2

Call to Study U.S. Stance on Mideast Draws Anger

By DAVID FIRESTONE

ATLANTA, Oct. 17 — Cynthia A. McKinney, an outspoken Atlanta congresswoman, has stirred strong emotions among Jews, Muslims and political leaders here by writing a letter to a Saudi prince supporting his call for a re-examination of American policy in the Middle East, which the prince said was an issue leading to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

As a result of the comments by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York rejected the prince's $10 million donation to charity last week. But Ms. McKinney, in a letter that seemed to apologize for the mayor's action, said the mayor was wrong and said the prince had an important point to make.

"Let me say that there are a growing number of people in the United States who recognize, like you, that U.S. policy in the Middle East needs serious examination," she wrote.

"Your Royal Highness," she said, "many of us here in the United States have long been concerned about reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that reveal a pattern of excessive, and often indiscriminate, use of lethal force by Israeli security forces in situations where Palestinian demonstrators were unarmed and posed no threat of death or serious injury."

Since the letter was released on Sunday, it has drawn angry letters to the editor of The Atlanta Journal- Constitution, calls to radio talk shows, and denunciations from Georgia politicians. Senator Zell Miller, who belongs to a far more conservative wing of the Georgia Democratic Party than does Ms. McKinney, called the letter "disgraceful."

"No one, certainly not a member of Congress, should be saying anything in a time of war that could even remotely be interpreted as agreeing with the position of our enemy," Mr. Miller said. "McKinney's letter crossed that line."

Jewish leaders were particularly critical of the congresswoman, whom they have crossed before on other issues relating to Palestinian rights. Rabbi Brett Isserow, president of the Atlanta Rabbinic Association, said the letter contained no criticism of Palestinian suicide attacks against Israelis. Jay Kaiman, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, said his office had received a stream of calls and e- mail messages complaining that Ms. McKinney seemed to be justifying the attacks.

"She seemed to be trying to draw a sense of moral equivalency, suggesting that the problems in Israel might justify the attack on the World Trade Center," Mr. Kaiman said.

Ms. McKinney did not respond to requests for comment, but in a written statement on Tuesday, she said the letter in no way indicated a lack of support for the country's war on terrorism, which she voted for. Rather, she said, she simply believes that American security will be enhanced if the country becomes an honest broker for Middle East peace.

One Arab leader in Atlanta said many Arabs and Muslims were pleased by Ms. McKinney's letter as a lone voice of support for them in Washington. The leader, Samir Moukaddam, the Southern regional director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said there was nothing unpatriotic about suggesting that the United States re- examine its Middle East policy.

"Everyone is asking now why there is so much hatred of the United States, why other countries might be reluctant to support us 100 percent," said Mr. Moukaddam. "It in no way justifies terrorism to say that we should talk about these issues regarding the Middle East now. It drives the Arab side crazy to hear that these issues are somehow off the table, and I don't think she's trying to justify terrorism."

Ms. McKinney has never avoided taking positions at odds with the Washington political establishment or supporters of Israel. In 1999, she voted against a resolution warning Yasir Arafat not to declare a Palestinian state. When the Bush administration backed out of the international conference on racism in South Africa this year because of concerns that the conference was going to criticize Israel harshly, Ms. McKinney asked if the White House was full of "latent racists," and she stayed at the conference after the American delegation left.

One point made in the letter by Ms. McKinney, who is black, is that blacks in the United States continue to suffer from disparities in income and justice, and could benefit from the Saudi prince's charity.

"Although your offer was not accepted by Mayor Giuliani, I would like to ask you to consider assisting Americans who are in dire need right now," she wrote. "I believe we can guide your generosity to help improve the state of Black America and build better lives."

For Education And Discussion Only. Not For Commercial Use.



TOPICS: News/Current Events
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1 posted on 10/17/2001 8:50:24 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
It is interesting to compare the spin the NY Times gives via this article with what the prince actually said about "the root cause" in the Hugh Downs interview following the meeting with Mayor Giuliani.
2 posted on 10/17/2001 9:04:20 PM PDT by Graewoulf
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To: JohnHuang2
I just love the NY Times.

McKinney is described as "outspoken" and not afraid to be at odds with the Washington "political establishment." Zell miller is from the "conservative wing".

They also completely forget to mention the part where Mckinney asked the prince to send her the $10 million, so it could be distributed to those "people of color in need."

3 posted on 10/17/2001 9:13:07 PM PDT by San Jacinto
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To: San Jacinto
Mckinney asked the prince to send her the $10 million

mckinney is a political prostitute

4 posted on 10/17/2001 9:26:42 PM PDT by eclectic
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To: eclectic
...mckinney is a political prostitute...

Anybody else sick to death of these reds in our government proposing to speak for U.S.?...What in the hell are they doing to this/our country?...GET THEM OUTTA HERE!!...DO A RECALL on these traitorous scum...all of them...I'm so pissed off, I'm too tired to type.

Pray tell, anyone, why the true leaders of this great nation put up with treasonous behavior in their own ranks?..."and that's the way it is"...GOOD NIGHT!

FMCDH

5 posted on 10/17/2001 9:46:50 PM PDT by nothingnew
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To: JohnHuang2
She is one of the stupidest members of congress, even among the black congressional caucus. It amazes me that blacks aren't ashamed of how stupid their so-called "leaders" are.
6 posted on 10/17/2001 9:52:18 PM PDT by ozzymandus
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